Doing Good by Stealth: The Philanthropy and Service of Annie Burr Lewis

Farmington Historical Society

Annie Burr was involved in the earliest days of the Farmington Historical Society, with service as one of the organizers, on the nominating committee, and as co-chair of the accessions committee. The latter role and her experience with historic preservation were called upon when the Elm Tree Inn, one of the early and beloved buildings in Farmington, was at risk of being torn down in the mid-1950s. The inn appeared doomed, and it was suggested that one of its earliest and most interesting rooms might be salvaged through acquisition by the Farmington Historical Society. In the end, in a gesture reminiscent of Annie Burr’s actions to buy and save the Deming House, the Elm Tree Inn was not razed but bought by Austin Barney, and still stands, converted to condominiums. The room remains in situ.